Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA
Student answer (Band 7.5)
The three pie charts illustrate the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contained in typical meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contain by far the highest percentage of added sugar. In contrast, breakfast consistently represents the smallest or joint-smallest share.
Dinner makes up 43% of sodium intake, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks each account for 14%. A similar pattern can be seen for saturated fat, with dinner contributing 37%, compared with 26% for lunch, 21% for snacks and 16% for breakfast.
However, the figures for added sugar are different. Snacks are responsible for the largest proportion, at 42%, which is almost twice the figure for dinner (23%). Lunch accounts for 19%, while breakfast contributes 16%.
Overall, dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks are the major source of added sugar in typical American meals.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three charts. The overview in the second paragraph captures the most salient trends—namely that dinner dominates sodium and saturated fat while snacks dominate added sugar—and these are supported by a concluding restatement. The figures cited for each meal type, such as 43% for sodium at dinner and 42% for snacks regarding added sugar, are entirely accurate according to the provided visual data. The response is fully developed and well-grounded in the source material.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Ideas are grouped sensibly into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview paragraph, followed by body paragraphs detailing the specific data for sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar, and a concise summary. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'A similar pattern', and 'However' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparisons without being intrusive. Paragraphing is handled skillfully.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for this task, using terms such as 'proportion', 'consistently', 'contributing', and 'responsible for'. Collocations are natural, and the terminology related to data reporting is well-executed. Although there are no particularly rare or sophisticated lexical items that would push the score into the higher bands, the vocabulary used is precise, accurate, and completely adequate for clear communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response exhibits a good control of grammar and punctuation. The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'while snacks contain by far the highest percentage' and 'Dinner makes up 43% of sodium intake, followed by lunch at 29%.' Grammatical accuracy is very high, with the majority of sentences being completely error-free and punctuation functioning correctly throughout the text.
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